1996 Formula 1 world champion Damon Hill believes Hamilton has rebuilt himself this year, having put the heartbreak of the 2021 championship decider behind him.
Hamilton is a driver reborn in 2026, having taken multiple podiums, a pole position and his maiden win for Ferrari.
This is in stark contrast to last season, when the seven-time world champion cut a desolate figure. going as far as openly calling on Ferrari to replace him.
His turnaround has been attributed to multiple factors, one of which is the new technical regulations, a radical departure from the ground-effect era that went against his driving style.
Hill believes that Hamilton is now transformed, and navigating Ferrari’s “political problem”.
“I think there’s a gravitas that Lewis has. I mean, don’t forget what he was like last year. He was crushed,” he said on the Sky Sports’ The F1 Show.
“He’s been crushed since Abu Dhabi, in effect, you know, in 2021. He’s been fighting his way back. He’s performed incredibly well this year, much better than I thought, considering I thought it was going to be very difficult, but he’s rebuilt himself.
“He is an extraordinary individual. And I think he has, and he’s got pole positions and won races this year in a Ferrari. Who would have said that was possible last year?
“And I think we need to settle this in the team because there’s a political problem in that team. For me, it seems like there’s factions within the team that are shooting for one side or the other.
“You can’t have that if you’re going to be an effective competitor against the Red Bulls, McLaren and Mercedes.”
Damon Hill believes Ferrari should back Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc
Hill then confirmed his belief that Ferrari should back Lewis Hamilton over Charles Leclerc, citing the recent contact at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
“They [Ferrari] have invested all this in Lewis, they’ve got him on board, he is a massive name in the sport,” Hill said.
“If they have a competitive car next year, they could win the Drivers’ Championship and the Constructors’ Championship, and I can’t see how they’re going to win it if they have two drivers currently behaving the way they do, if Charles is constantly racing against Lewis like that.
So, you have to make a decision as a team principal how you’re going to enter into the fray. And I think it makes sense to me to put all your eggs behind Lewis.
“You’ve got him there anyway. You’ve gone through all the pain and the investment to get him there. It would be a huge story, clearly. His eighth world title is just sitting there.
“Now Charles might say, well, this is totally unfair, you know, I’ve been here longer. But yes, you have been there longer, but look at the results.
“Lewis has got a valid point, which is he’s there to make them win as a team, not just be a Ferrari driver.”
With the prospect of both championships now long gone, Ferrari will need to do some soul searching in the off-season, and plan its assault on 2027.
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